It's Not Easy Being Green (The English Werder Bremen Experience)

It's over.  The last episode ever.  Thank you, dear listener, for your contribution and passion for our club. You helped make all the work and time worth it.  Massive thanks to Christian, Iain, and Sooner for your contributions. It wouldn't have happened without you, and it wouldn't have been so much fun.  The podcast is now over. You've all been great.  Goodnight, Ben

The one where it's our last live show.  As things draw to a close for both the season and the show, we still haven't forgotten to provide you with substandard overviews of the game and our thoughts on the team. We get into transfer rumours, what's happening with the youth movement, and answer your questions.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder let the last tangible opportunity of being in full control of their future slip through their fingers. It could have all been so different.  Christian and Ben discuss the game, and go through the news of the day before we play the recording Sooner mailed in.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

The one where we go off about Burke.  Werder drop points in their quest for Europe. Burke turns down offers from Werder to join Union next season for free. What does this mean for Werder? We take a look at how difficult this summers transfer window is shaping up to be and answer your listener questions. Sooner joins us to walk us through the next game against Union Berlin.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna 

The one where Sooner shows how we can make it to Europe, but doesn't think we can make it to Europe. The game was barely watchable so it's a good thing there was other stuff to talk about. We update you on a bunch of news, rumours, wild speculation, and transfer goss surrounding the team. Sooner actually shows up and shows how Werder has a path to make Europe and why he doesn't think we can do it.  Hang out with us: linktr.ee/werderna

The one where we were wrong about everything. Woltemade is no good. Burke is amazing. Got it.  Werder have extended their win streak to 3 in-a-row! Christian and I discuss the game, answer your questions, and Sooner mails it in again. And at the end I find out my kid has flushed a Matchbox car down the toilet... Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

The one with the helium No, this is not your morning drive time crew, it just sounds like it! Having hit two more checkpoints on our in season game, Ben & Christian select 4 winners for sticker packs using a digital duck derby. Then, because that isn't immature enough, we answer your questions while huffing on helium. It all gets right out of shape, but we haven't forgotten the main reason we're here, to celebrate a great team victory over Frankfurt! Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna 

Werder win their 3rd game of 2025 keeping them just 6 points out of Europe, but is all of this happening outside of the clubs stated vision for the future? Ben and Christian go through the game and delve into a few quotes from last week that suggest there is a growing fragment between who the club says they are and their actions. We round it out by answering listener questions and Sooner mails it in.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

We catch up with one of our top 10 friends in Germany!  There's lots to discuss during the international break, Flo and I spend most of the time going through what is certain to be an exciting transfer window this summer. Along with that we discuss the current state of things, building youth talent by playing older players, and cap off the show with his thoughts on the Werder Frauen providing the highlight of the season for the club.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

It's Monday Night Football with Ben and Christian! This team is not in a position to gain Europe. They may not even be able to reach their pre season goal of 40 points in their current vien of form. Ben and Christian go through the latest blunder at home for Werder and spend a little time discussing the implications of Clemens Fritz using the word "upheaval" with regards to the squad for next season.  Sooner joins us at the end to close out the show with a preview of Kiel as well as an update on the contest.  Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Let the good times roll! We are so back! Werder complete an unexpected win against last year's BL champions and we're here for it! After weeks of muck and myre, there is finally something to celebrate so we, of course, tamp down the excitement by trying to figure out what has changed, and is the "problem" dealt with? We discuss Werner's new contract, Zetti's illness, set-pieces, and why Werder are historically and systematically one of the worst teams in the league during the Ruckrunde? Sooner joins us to close out the show! Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna 

We had a chance to catch up with friend of the show Florian Reineke, or as many know him, the Fussball Gott. Unfortunately the conversation happened directly after the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Freiburg and we had yet to understand what was coming our way in the DFB Pokal match.  We discuss Werder's transfer policy, the current crisis, season projections, and get a confirmation from Flo that he will soon skeet... find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna  

Now we're mad.  Ben and Christian take a different approach and go through 2 large reasons why this club is facing the crisis they are in currently. Does this organization have what it takes to sort through this? If we lose on Tues is the season basically over? How did we get here? Join us and find out.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

We are in a slump. We are slumping. What does a slump look like if this isn't a slump? A very poor performance from Werder, audio drops out, we shit talk a bunch, and then VfB Americana has the audacity to join the live show.  Sooner joins us at the end of the show to preview next week and follow up on the contest. 

We hate this fixture. It was also painful to watch. So we skip right past the ups and downs and move on to other topics. Christian and Ben evaluate the winter transfer window, update on injuries, and answer your questions before Sooner hops on to close out the show.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Ben and Christian discuss one of the most bizarre games we've had a chance to witness, or really, 7 min of the most bizarre officiating we've ever witnessed. We talk about the pending transfer of Silva as well as answer your questions and check in with Sooner before next weeks game.  Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder create the awkward situation of requiring us to lambaste their efforts for the first 60 minutes of the game and then praise their efforts in the final 30 minutes. Overall it must be said, the effort was terrible from the team and Ben and Christian get the feeling this team is on the edge of spiraling out of control. What's going on? What can explain the drop in form? We dig into all this and follow up with Sooner to close out the show.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna  

Werder take 1 point from 3 games during English week to kick off 2025. There were so many things wrong with this game that Ben and Christian struggled to come up with a few points of positivity. Ben senses that the fans may slowly be being brought back to reality and that the first half of the season, although remarkable, should be considered an outlier. Sooner wraps things up with the contest and a preview of Dortmund.  Find a spot you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna  

Werder Bremen sort of stumble out of the gate and faceplant to kick off 2025. Ben and Christian go over the game before hitting the other topics such as transfer rumours and what Ben thinks is an impending conflict?? Sooner wraps up the show with his prediction and the INEBG contest starts up again for the second half.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder go 3 in a row! So we dedicate a full segment to praising the greatness of Ole Werner.  Outside of that, we review the game and look at a few other things going on at the club. Sooner sends us the final rundown on the contest winners for the first half.    Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna  

The one where we play 2 lies and a truth! Warning: those with weak constitutions hit the fast forward button.  We have reached the milestone on our season checkpoint game which means all gloves come off as we play the wildest game of 2 truths and a lie.  Outside of that Christian and I break down the game over the weekend, discuss the loan deals of Keita and Hansen-Aaroen, look ahead in the DFB Pokal, and answer your listener questions.

It could have been so much more. But that's the team we have and that's the team we love. Christian and Ben break down the game on Saturday as well as give Ole Werner his grades after being at the club for 3 years. Sooner wraps things up previewing the midweek Pokal match against Darmstadt and Werder welcome back a former coach.  Find a place that works for you: linktr.ee/werderna  

We catch up with Flo as he gives us his insights on what's going on at Werder and how he feels things are going. The conversation includes discussions about the latest members meeting at Werder along with the ongoing perplexing situation with our medical department and nagging injuries.  Find a place just for you: linktr.ee/werderna   

Werder fell to Frankfurt away from home having put up a gallant effort to stay competitive for the 90 minutes. Ben and Christian break down the game and discuss Hanson-Aaroen, Stage contract, and Ducksch as a set-piece specialist. Sooner joins the call at the end to preview next weeks match and run down the Kick Tipp contest.  Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder + Pancakes = 3 more points! The real hero of this story of course is Oliver Burke who managed to salvage Werder one more time in the Bundesliga with some last-minute heroics.  Ben and Christian break down the game before being joined by Sooner and once again, creating their own sound effects for your bleeding ears.  Hang out with us: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder absolutely crap the bed in what will be understood as one of the worst games we've played in a while. We blow through the low-lights, Flo joins us again, and Sooner wraps things up for us as the music buttons quit working and we're forced to provide our own sound effects.  Hang out with us: linktr.ee/werderna

You can tell we were feeling the good vibes of a great game on Saturday. Off the rails doesn't even begin to describe this episode. We start with a random call in from Werder Brian and it only gets better from there.  We review the game and have to face the music as to whether or not it's time to change our minds on Marvin Ducksch and Ole Werner. Sooner joins us later to preview the midweek Pokal match.  Hang out with us: linktr.ee/werderna 

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?! A MONDAY NIGHT PARTY!!! Ben and Christian break down the surprising performance of Werder Bremen as they swoop into Wolfsburg and take all 3 points on the back of a magnificent performance from Marvin Ducksch.  Hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna 

We do our best to spice up the review on what was a super dull game. Werder drop 3 points at home to Freiburg and haven't managed to score at home yet this season. Flo Reinecke joins us for a new segment where we let his genius run wild and we answer your listener questions.  Hang out with us: linktr.ee/werderna

The one with the big comeback. Werder make history in the Bundesliga by becoming the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the first 12 minutes and go on to win. There is no doubt, the game was insane, Ben and Christian discuss all the happenings and whether the right lessons will be taken from this incredible match.  Hang out with us!  linktr.ee/werderna   

Werder are destroyed live on television. Soon may be trapped in a transport truck. We discuss nipples, grapefruit, and a brief overview of the game.  Hang out with us on Discord or something linktr.ee/werderna   

Werder travel to Mainz to see if they couldn't keep their unbeaten run alive in the Bundesliga. We discuss the game results along with a host of other issues including the saga of Naby Keita. We take your listener questions and close out the show with a review of the KickTipp contest and a preview of Bayern by Sooner.  Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

It's the long weekend and Ben and Christian have started drinking already! Look out! Never before has there been such consternation around the gaining of a point against a top team like Dortmund. But wouldn't you know it, no one is happy, including the players, and we're here for it! Ben and Christian break down the game and discuss the closing of the transfer window while giving school grades for the work that was done. After questions, Sooner joins the show to preview the match coming up in two weeks time against Mainz. 

It's our first post game show of the season and we have Christian and Sooner returning for another year! We kick the show off reviewing the game from the weekend and dive into transfer rumours. We then turn to you our listeners and tackle your questions and follow up the show with the contest and Sooner's preview of next week and his lock prediction. All standard fare, including the sirens from Toronto! Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Buckle up and make sure you have plenty of food and water around, this one's a long one. Christian and Sooner join us a day before the Pokal match and a week before the first matchday to talk Werder and get caught up.  We talk transfers, changes in management, we answer your questions, preview the upcoming matches and rerack the contest. Find a place you'd like to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Sooner joins us to walk through the Werder youth program and their season. How they ended up in the local Bremen league and how things are looking for the future along with a few players to keep an eye on.  Find a place to hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

PJ joins me on a call to discuss the latest news and goings on with the Werder Frauen. He catches us up on the season as it happened and gives us a little insight into how the team is looking going forward and some of the top talent currently on the squad.  Find a place to  hang out in the Werder NA scene: linktr.ee/werderna

Part 2 of our conversation with Florian Reinecke wraps up the season review discussion we were able to have with him. If you didn't catch part 1, be sure to check that out as well. Find a place to hang out with the Werder North America crew: linktr.ee/werderna   

You have made it a few weeks past the end of the season and it should be right about now you're deciding whether you just can't go any longer without more Werder content, or, you're ready to check out for the summer.  For those with the cruel addiction, we have part 1 of a 2 part season review with Florian Reinecke.  Hang out with us and join the Werder North American Community linktr.ee/werderna  

Well it happened. Christian, Sooner, and I subject ourselves to another game of Power Hour while reviewing the season, distributing player and listener awards, and we wrap up the INEBG KickTipp contest.  Find many other things on: linktr.ee/werderna  

Werder make it 4 games without a loss. They hold on to take a point in Leipzig, something they haven't done since they started playing against RB.  Christian and I discuss the game and a myriad of other topics like the U23, Fullkrug dollars, the new appointment of Neimeyer, and a bunch of others before Sooner joins the program to close it off.  We're one game away from closing the doors on another season. Head over to the linktree to find a place you can hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna  

Werder stake their claim for Bundesliga action next season as they celebrate the 1000th home game played at the Weserstadion. Christian and Sooner join the podcast to discuss the game, Woltemade's breakout, we answer your questions, and take a look at next week.  Check out the linktree! linktr.ee/werderna

Werder make it two in a row and create enough space from the bottom we're all starting to feel much better about the situation. Ben and Christian still hold reservations but overall, it's a happy episode. Sooner joins us late to talk about next week and we send special thanks to the Twitter sex bots that have pushed us over 300 followers.  Hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna

Werder do the impossible and win a match against Stuttgart. But it's not just the win, it's the style with which it was done. Christian swears to remain positive all show, Sooner swears to go back to church, and generally, there is some other swearing. Join the fun train while it's here as Werder gain 3 points pushing them closer to safety! Find a place to hand out: linktr.ee/werderna

Just look at that length! Probably our longest and most intelligent show yet, and that is all thanks to Florian Reinecke who joins us to talk about Werder, the youth development program (historical and present), the Keita issue, and a whole raft of other things that come up as we went along.  Sooner joins us at the end to provide his lock for next week and update us on the contest.  Find a place to hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna

Yes, we do discuss the game just a little and the single point Werder gained off Frankfurt this weekend, but we delve into the news of the week which we believe has further reaching implications.  This week Christian and I discuss an interview with Johannes Jahns and go through Werder's abysmal track record of managing youth talent. Why did Dinkci and Woltemade leaving create such a negative buzz? We look into it. We cap off the show with Sooner's pregame lock and contest as well as go through Werder history of 1964/65.  Come hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna

Werder break the winless streak of their opponents and offer little in the way of hope going forward. There were extenuating circumstances which made this game difficult from the outset, but Werder failed to find a way when the opportunities were there.  We discuss the game, the HHG DeichStube article, and go through all your questions. Sooner joins us to discuss next weeks opponent and offer his lock of the week as well as a review of the contest. In our Werder history lesson we revisit 1964/65 and the first Bundesliga title for Werder Bremen.  Find a place to hang out with us!  linktr.ee/werderna

On today's program Christian is barely alive after a full-on birthday celebration that has left him struggling for air and cogent thought. But that could never get in the way of a discussion around the horrid display witnessed on the weekend as Werder fell to Union Berlin 2-1 which is the 3rd game in succession with that exact score and result.  We finish off the interview with Ole Werner and answer listener questions. Sooner jumps on to give his lock of the week and the contest table standings.  In bonus material we will be working through the book Lebenslang grun-weiss as written by Arnd Zeigler. Join along with us and learn the history of your favorite football club!   Come hang out with us on Discord and other places linktr.ee/werderna  

I forgot about the time change so we get off to a choppy start! Werder welcome home Fullkrug and Dortmund to a game they couldn't get a grip on even with an extra attacker. Stark makes his return from and subesquent exit because of, injury. Christian joins us as we discuss the game, the situation regarding Keita, what our XG means, and we chat with new Werder fan Brian Ramirez! Find a place you can hang out: linktr.ee/werderna

Werder travel away from home and lose in a moderately spirited effort. Christian joins us for part of the show as we discuss the game, the retirement announcement of Gross, and react to some of the media generated by an Ole Werner appearance on Twitch and an article written by a tactical expert. Sooner caps off the show with his lock of the week and how the contest is going. Plus we answer your questions! Come hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna

Get ready with your volume control! We test your skills at cranking the volume up and down because Christian had his ear buds stolen in Columbia.  Werder stumble and bumble their way to a single point against Darmstadt in a game not worth the time we spend reviewing it. In other news we discuss Fritz as the new Sports Director at Werder and what that means for the club we answer your questions and Sooner comes in to end the show with his lock of the week and review of the INEBG contest.  Hang out with us! linktr.ee/werderna